Chapter 25.5- Doom Days

“Order” Dumbledore called after allowing the applause to go on for a few seconds.

“Now the Defence” He said.

“Gentlewizards and Gentlewitches of the ICW. Let us not allow flashy rhetoric and strong words sway us away from common sense and judicious application of the law. The Decree for Expedited Apprehension and Trial-less Holding, and Azkaban Transfer for Egregious Rebellion authorizes the ministry to arrest suspected death eaters and in situations where the ministry holding cells are filled, hold those Death Eaters in Azkaban while awaiting trial. Mr, Potter seeks to convince you that Sirius Black was never given a trial, but the truth is that he had not been given a trial yet. Yet. The ministry was always going to get around to it. The Decree for Expedited Apprehension and Trial-less Holding, and Azkaban Transfer for Egregious Rebellion, wow that’s a bit of a mouthful so I’ll call it the Death Eater decree as we call it back in Britain for brevity henceforth. Back to the case, the Death Eater decree mandates no maximum time for the ministry to hold the accused. Mr Black was held lawfully in custody while the ministry prepared its case. That makes his escape, not the act of a man fleeing persecution, but that of a man fleeing justice in his home nation. Are learned Gentlewizards and Gentlewitches like you distinguished representatives going to be swayed by pretty words into believing a plain falsehood?” He was good, I grudgingly admitted. So good, that Sirius was already bristling at the words coming from his mouth. He was shoveling bullshit, and he knew it. He fucking knew it, but he didn’t care.

“The truth is Sirius Black is guilty. He did it. If he didn’t, he would have waited for his trial. Why am I so certain? Minister Fudge is right here, and he can testify that he visited the prison mere days before Mr Black’s escape, and when he did so, he told the man that a trial was going to be held in a matter of weeks. Why else would a man who had been content to sit docile in Azkaban for twelve years suddenly escape? He did I because he knew that once the depths of his crimes came to light, he’d be sent to the veil”

“He’s fucking lying through his teeth” Sirius whispered, pissed. His eyes were wide and frantic. In that moment, he looked every bit the guilty man, and so I did what I did best. I manipulated. I dove into his mind, spreading feelings of calm.

“Calm down. These are just opening statements. He can say whatever he wants. If he puts Fudge on that stand, I’ll tear the bastard apart.”

A/N: Obviously, the DEATH EATER Act is entirely my creation. I think it would make sense in the context of the war being fought and lost though.